The city never slept.
Neon lights cut through the night, painting streets in harsh reds and blues.
But for Luna Nakamori, the glow of the city felt cold, distant… like it belonged to someone else.
Her boots clicked against the wet pavement as she entered the precinct.
Inside, the chatter of officers filled the air—reports, complaints, small talk—but Luna barely noticed.
Her eyes scanned the new case file on her desk.
CASE 14 — Missing Persons. Five victims. Same pattern as seven years ago.
Her fingers lingered on the edge of the folder.
She didn't flinch. She didn't panic.
But deep inside, something shifted—the faint echo of a memory she had buried long ago.
A Familiar Pattern
Luna walked to the conference room.
The detectives and officers had already gathered, nervously shuffling papers.
Detective Sato cleared his throat.
"This is… unusual. Five people, all disappeared in three days. No bodies. No traces. But here's the thing…"
He looked directly at Luna. "The pattern… it matches your first case file, back when you joined the force."
Everyone's eyes turned to her.
Whispers spread across the room.
"She's incredible… but scary."
"How can one person notice this so fast?"
Luna said nothing.
Her voice, when it came, was soft and calm.
"I'll handle it."
The First Lead
Luna arrived at the abandoned factory where the first victim was last seen.
The air was thick with damp and rust. Broken glass crunched under her feet.
She crouched, examining the ground. No fingerprints, no footprints… just faint drag marks.
Her heart didn't race. Her breathing didn't change.
Her mind, however, was already working.
"Someone wants me to remember," she whispered under her breath.
Her memory flashed back to the warehouse from seven years ago.
The empty eyes of her bullies. Their screams. The silence after it was over.
A chill ran down her spine.
Not from fear.
From recognition.
The Shadow in the Corner
A noise drew her attention.
Something moved in the shadows—a figure, just out of focus, watching.
She didn't raise her weapon.
She didn't call for backup.
Instead, Luna smiled faintly.
A single, cold smile.
"You've been waiting for me," she said quietly.
"And now… it's my turn to watch."
The figure disappeared before she could move closer.
Luna knew one thing with certainty:
This wasn't just a copycat.
This was personal.
And whatever was coming…
It would drag her back into the darkness she had spent years burying.